Toilet Overspray Shield and Method for Manufacture

ABSTRACT

A spray shield to assist individuals, especially males, with the standing use of toilet facilities. The spray shield serves to contain urine overspray from an individual standing in front of a toilet. The device may be placed and positioned on, or removed from, the toilet. The device is a truncated cone of flexible plastic material, with a large U-shaped space formed in one side. The narrow end of the cone is inserted into the toilet and extends into the toilet basin. The device is preferably constructed from a heavy flexible plastic sheet, attached back onto itself at corner tabs near the narrow end of the cone. Holes near the base may be incorporated to allow fluid flow into the cone from the toilet bowl. Handle cutouts may be positioned near the upper perimeter of the cone. Alternate shapes are used for bedside commodes and toilet sheet risers.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 of co-pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/092,742; filed Apr. 22, 2011; whichfurther claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/327,548; filed Apr. 23, 2010, the fulldisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to devices for assistingindividuals with the use of toilet facilities and bedside commodes. Thepresent invention relates more specifically to a spray shield configuredto assist male individuals, especially young and elderly maleindividuals, with the standing (as opposed to seated) use of toiletfacilities and bedside commodes.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are many devices designed to assist individuals with using toiletfacilities. Most devices in this field have focused on assistingindividuals with movement to and from a seated position on a toilet.Other devices provide elevated toilet seats that allow individuals touse the toilet facility without the necessity of moving to a low seatedposition. While the present invention is concerned with assistingindividuals with the use of toilet facilities, its focus is on improvingsuch use by male individuals standing in front of a toilet or a bedsidecommode.

While most all male individuals must take some care in using a toiletfrom a standing position, some male individuals, especially young boysand elderly men, often find it quite difficult to fully confine thestream of urine to the narrow opening of the toilet bowl. Someindividuals with special needs involving muscle control, stability, andbalance may have an even more difficult time directing and confiningurine within the perimeter of the toilet bowl.

Efforts that have been made in the past to address the above describedproblems have fallen short for a number of reasons. Most suffer fromcost and complexity issues and are simply too expensive to manufactureand purchase. Others fail because they are difficult to place andposition in the toilet bowl or are designed to remain in place to becollapsed or moved to the side to allow seated use of the toilet. Thereis a need for a simple, easily removable, toilet splash guard that islow in cost, easy to clean, and requires no tools to install or remove.It would be desirable if the splash guard could be easily manufacturedfrom inexpensive (but still rugged) materials. It would be desirable ifthe splash guard provided a safe but effective means for fullycontaining urine overspray within the confines of the toilet bowl.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In fulfillment of the above stated objectives the present inventionprovides a device configured to assist male individuals, especiallyyoung male individuals, with the standing (as opposed to seated) use oftoilet facilities. The device of the present invention is a funnel forcontaining any urine overspray from a male individual standing in frontof a toilet, especially a young male child who might have difficultydirecting the urine stream into the toilet. Key elements of the deviceinclude its simplicity of construction, its large size, and its ease ofplacement on the toilet. The device comprises a truncated cone offlexible plastic material, such as might be used to construct a heavyduty waste basket or the like, with a large V-shaped space formed in oneside of the cone. The narrow end of the truncated cone is inserted intothe toilet and is sized so as to extend to some distance into the toiletbasin or bowl. The device may preferably be constructed from a large,approximately rectangular sheet of heavy flexible plastic that is formedinto a cone and attached back onto itself at a point near the narrow endof the truncated cone.

Additional optional features include the placement of an array of holesnear the base of the truncated cone (the lower end of the device) thatwould allow water to flow into the cone from the toilet bowl in a mannerthat would facilitate rinsing of the cone after use. A removable cup mayalso be positioned in the vertex of the V-shaped cutout from the side ofthe cone to collect any urine that may drip during use. Finally, handlecutouts may be positioned near the upper perimeter of the cone tofacilitate placement and removal of the device in the toilet. In theideal environment, the device may be alternately maintained in thetoilet or in an adjacent bathtub or shower where it may be rinsed inbetween uses. Once again, the goal of the invention is to create asimple, inexpensive to manufacture, structure that is highly functionaland effective in containing urine overspray and directing into thetoilet bowl.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the overspray shield and funneldevice of the present invention, shown in its assembled configuration.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the overspray shield and funneldevice of the present invention, shown in its assembled configuration.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view looking down into the overspray shield andfunnel device of the present invention, shown in its assembledconfiguration.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the overspray shield and funneldevice of the present invention, shown positioned into a typical toiletbowl for use.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the overspray shield and funneldevice of the present invention, shown positioned into a typical toiletbowl for use.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the front of an alternate preferredembodiment of the overspray shield and funnel device of the presentinvention, shown with an attachable drip cup positioned in the V-shapedaccess opening

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of theoverspray shield and funnel device of the present invention, shown withan edge cover in place.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of theoverspray shield and funnel device of the present invention, shown withan edge cover in place.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a further alternate embodiment ofthe overspray shield and funnel device of the present invention, shownin an assembled configuration.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the alternate embodiment of theoverspray shield and funnel device of the present invention disclosed inFIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the sheet of material used to construct thealternate embodiment of the overspray shield and funnel device of thepresent invention disclosed in FIGS. 9 & 10.

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of a further alternate embodiment ofthe overspray shield and funnel device of the present invention, shownin an assembled configuration.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the alternate embodiment of theoverspray shield and funnel device of the present invention disclosed inFIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the sheet of material used to construct thealternate embodiment of the overspray shield and funnel device of thepresent invention disclosed in FIGS. 12 & 13.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of one application of the alternateembodiment of the overspray shield and funnel device disclosed in FIGS.12 & 13 positioned within a typical bedside commode.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a further application of the alternateembodiment of the overspray shield and funnel device disclosed in FIGS.12 & 13 positioned on a toilet seat riser associated with a toilet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As summarized above, the device of the present invention is a funnel forcatching and containing any urine overspray from a male individualstanding in front of a toilet, especially a young male child who mighthave difficulty directing the urine stream into the toilet. FIG. 1 is afront elevational view of the overspray shield and funnel device of thepresent invention, shown in its assembled configuration. Oversprayshield 10 is a large cone shaped device preferably constructed of asingle plastic sheet or panel 12 that is cut according to apredetermined pattern and then rolled into the cone shape shown andattached back onto itself near the lower end of the cone. Thisconstruction creates a wide top opening 14 and a narrower bottom opening16. The base corners of the plastic sheet 12 are overlapped at section18 and are attached to one another in this position using rivets 20, orsome similar means for attachment. This means for attachment to createthe cone shape may be permanent (such as with rivets) or removable (suchas with snaps). The attachment means is preferably non-corrosive (suchas with nylon rivets or snaps) and may comprise chemical adhesivebonding or thermal welding. The cone thus created may preferably beabout two to three feet tall, about one to one and a half feet wide atthe base, and about two feet wide at the top.

The material from which the flexible sheet or panel is constructed mayvary. In the preferred embodiment a relatively heavy gauge low-densitypolyethylene (LDPE) plastic, such as is used for the manufacture ofplastic waste baskets and the like, is utilized. The key characteristicsare liquid impermeability and semi-rigid flexibility. Currently, manyplastic compositions are impregnated with antimicrobial compositionsand/or deodorizing chemicals. It is anticipated that the presentinvention lends itself to the utilization of one or more of these typesof chemical additives to the plastic panel used to construct the funnelwalls of the present invention. The present invention also lends itselfto being constructed from various types of recycled plastic materials.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the overspray shield and funneldevice of the present invention, again shown in its assembledconfiguration. In this view (and in the view of FIG. 1) the means forhandling the device can be seen. Handle apertures 22 a & 22 b arepositioned near the top edge of the device (removed from the region ofoverspray) and facilitate the placement and removal of the device intoand out of the toilet as described in more detail below. The view ofFIG. 2 also shows the manner in which the upper sides of the deviceextend forward to come close to either side of the user. The manner ofoverlapping the lower corners in section 18 achieves this funnel shapewith upper side panels to create the V-shaped opening best seen inFIG. 1. This arrangement keeps hand holds 22 a & 22 b up and out of theway.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view looking down into the overspray shield andfunnel device of the present invention, again shown in its assembledconfiguration. In this view it can be seen how the upper opening 14 islarger than the lower opening 16 thereby creating the funnel shape. Inthis interior view it can be seen how the inside corner overlaps insection 18 and the various attachment members (rivets) secure thecorners in place.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the overspray shield and funneldevice of the present invention, shown positioned into a typical toiletbowl for use. In this view, overspray shield 10 is positioned in toilet24 in an orientation appropriate for use. As shown in FIG. 4, the sizeof the device 10 is such that the vertex of the V-shaped opening ispositioned at or just below the top edge of the toilet or the edge ofthe toilet seat. In this manner, a young boy standing at the toiletwould find himself at just the right height to direct the urine flowinto the confines of the funnel. The bottom edge of the device sitsfirmly on the bottom/side surfaces of the bowl of the toilet to supportthe device in a generally upright position.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the overspray shield and funneldevice of the present invention, again shown positioned into a typicaltoilet bowl for use. In this view it can be seen how the front edges ofthe shield extend forward to the front of the bowl while still allowingfor the V-shaped opening to allow access by the user. Once again,handles 22 a & 22 b are positioned up and out of the way during use butare readily reachable for the removal of the overspray shield after use.

Reference is next made to FIG. 6 which is an isometric view of the frontof an alternate preferred embodiment of the overspray shield and funneldevice of the present invention, shown with an attachable drip cuppositioned in the V-shaped access opening. The alternate or additionalfeatures include an array of apertures 44 cut through the flexibleplastic sheet material 32 in the area around the base of the funnel.These apertures 44 allow water to flow into the cone from the toiletbowl when the toilet is flushed in a manner that would facilitaterinsing of the cone after use. The same apertures 44 also facilitate therinsing of the funnel in a shower enclosure or the like to distributewater both inside and outside the walls of the funnel.

A further ancillary component that may be included with the oversprayshield of the present invention is a removable cup 46. This saddleshaped cup may be positioned in the vertex of the V-shaped opening inthe front facing side of the cone to collect any urine that may dripduring use. The cup also provides the added benefit of covering thevertex of the V-shaped opening. As in the first preferred embodiment,handle cutouts 42 a & 42 b are positioned near the upper perimeter ofthe cone 30 to facilitate placement and removal of the device in thetoilet.

Reference is next made to FIGS. 7 & 8 which disclose a furtherembodiment of the present invention wherein some part of the exposededge of the sheet or panel making up the walls of the funnel incorporatean edge cover. Overspray shield 10 is again shown as a large cone shapeddevice preferably constructed of a single plastic sheet 12 that isrolled into the cone shape shown and attached back onto itself near thelower end of the cone. This construction creates a wide top opening 14and a narrower bottom opening 16 each of which have exposed edges. Theedge forming the base is preferably left as is since there is little ifany contact between the base and the user or handler of the device. Theedge forming the top or upper end of the cone or funnel, however, aswell as the edge forming the “V” shaped opening in the side wall of thefunnel, is subject to contact by the user and/or the handler of thedevice. As a means of providing a smoother edge that potentially maycome into contact with the user and/or handler of the device, thealternate embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 & 8 incorporates edge cover 48over much of the edge of the panel that forms the upper portion of thefunnel. Handle apertures 22 a & 22 b, again positioned near the top edgeof the device, may also incorporate edge covers, as shown, to provide asmoother edge for the handler of the device to grasp. Each of thevarious optional features described above in conjunction with the firstpreferred embodiment may also be utilized and applied in conjunctionwith the alternate embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 & 8.

In the ideal environment, the device may be alternately maintained inthe toilet or in an adjacent bathtub or shower where it may be rinsed inbetween uses. Once again, the goal of the invention is to create asimple, inexpensive to manufacture, structure that is highly functionaland effective in containing urine overspray and directing it into thetoilet bowl.

Alternate Preferred Embodiments

Reference is next made to FIGS. 9-11 for a detailed description of afurther alternate preferred embodiment of the overspray shield of thepresent invention. FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of an alternatestructure for the overspray shield and funnel device shown in anassembled configuration. Overspray shield 50 is a large, generally opensided, cone-shaped device, preferably constructed of a single plasticsheet or panel 52 that is cut according to a predetermined pattern (seeFIG. 11) and then attached back onto itself at two specificallyconfigured lower corners. Flexible panel 52 is folded back on itself atthese lower corners and secured using press rivets 60 to form bottomopening 56. Press rivets 60 are preferably nylon or plastic rivets thatmay be pressed through from the outside through the correspondingapertures to secure one lower corner of flexible panel 52 to the other.Insofar as the overspray shield 50 is to be generally packaged andshipped in a flat, unassembled condition, these press rivets 60 arestructured to be single use attachment devices that are secured by theconsumer in the assembly process.

The overlap of bottom corners that creates bottom opening 56 and thepattern structure of flexible panel 52, as described in more detailbelow, provide for a larger side access trough 56 formed just above theoverlapping area of the panel. The average height of side access trough56, once overspray shield 50 is positioned within a standard toiletbowl, is such to allow the user to stand and approach the device andstill generally be surrounded by the walls of the shield on all sidesand to a significant height. This alternate embodiment structure shownin FIGS. 9 & 10 provides greater access to the user and still maintainsa fully encompassing overspray shield. In addition, this patternstructure of flexible panel 52 establishes a smoother U-shaped curve toside access trough 56 that reduces the possibility of direct contactbetween the user and the edge of flexible panel 52.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the alternate preferred embodimentdisclosed in FIG. 9 showing the manner in which overspray shield 50extends toward the user through curved upper section wings of flexiblepanel 52. The attachment region 54 angles outward so as to provide anupwardly extending portion of the shield panel on either side of theuser during use. Handle apertures 62 a & 62 b are shown in FIGS. 9 & 10as well as their pattern placement in FIG. 11. Optional fluid flow slots64 are seen in FIGS. 10 & 11 positioned along the lower region of thepanel adjacent bottom opening 56. These fluid flow slots achieve thesame function as the apertures previously described and facilitate themovement of fluid through the lower wall section of overspray shield 50.In the case of a flushing toilet, these fluid flow slots serve in partto allow a rinsing of the lower section of overspray shield 50 adjacentthe bottom opening 56.

Overspray shield 50 shown in FIGS. 9 & 10 is designed and structured tofit within the standard geometry of typical toilets having elliptical,or elongated elliptical, toilet bowl openings. Base diameter D₁ shown inFIG. 10 is sized to allow insertion into the toilet bowl opening (withthe lid and toilet seat raised) and to remain secure therein during use.Further embodiments described below reduce this base diameter toaccommodate bedside commodes and toilet seat risers.

FIG. 11 discloses in detail the structure and shape of the flexiblepanel 52 that is used to assemble the overspray shield 50 of thisalternate preferred embodiment. Although still generally formed from arectangular flexible panel, specific alterations are made to the shapeto facilitate not only its assembly, but the resultant three dimensionalstructure that forms the side access trough 56 shown in FIG. 9. Flexiblepanel 52, cut as shown in FIG. 11, specifically incorporates crossovertabs 58 a & 58 b that extend as pointed arrow shaped tabs from the lowercorners of flexible panel 52. Each crossover tab 58 a & 58 bincorporates an array (four apertures in each array in the preferredembodiment) of rivet apertures 66 a & 66 b as shown. The arrangement ofrivet apertures 66 a & 66 b is such that when crossover tabs 58 a & 58 bare directed towards each other and overlapped as shown in FIG. 9, pressrivets 60 may be secured through the aligned rivet apertures.

Although the lower and upper edges of flexible panel 52 may generally bestraight and parallel, the side edges are curved in the manner shown inFIG. 11 so as to direct curved wing extensions of the panel towards theuser in a manner best seen in FIG. 10. These side curves define theformation of side access trough 56 (see FIG. 9) and thereby allow theuser to more closely move into side access trough 56 for best use ofoverspray shield 50.

Overspray shield 50 is preferably constructed from a 0.080 inch sheet ofhigh impact polystyrene. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 & 10 ispreferably constructed in large (32 inches high), medium (28 incheshigh), and small (24 inches high). The method of manufacture includesthe steps of cutting the core rectangle for the pattern shown in FIG.11, followed by cutting the side curved edges and the lower corner tabs.The handle apertures and the array of fluid apertures are then cut orpunched through the material. Finally, the two aligned sets of rivetaperture, which are mirrored across a centerline of the panel, are cutor punched in the corner tab regions of the panel.

Reference is next made to FIGS. 12-14 for a detailed description of afurther alternate embodiment of the overspray shield of the presentinvention. FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of an alternate structurefor the overspray shield and funnel device, shown in an assembledconfiguration. Overspray shield 70 is a somewhat smaller, generally opensided, cone-shaped device, preferably constructed of a single plasticsheet or panel 72 that is cut according to a predetermined pattern (seeFIG. 14) and then attached back onto itself at two specificallyconfigured lower corners. Flexible panel 72 is folded back on itself atthese lower corners and secured using press rivets 80 to form bottomopening 76. Press rivets 80 are preferably nylon or plastic rivets thatmay be pressed through from the outside through the correspondingapertures to secure one lower corner of flexible panel 72 to the other.

The overlap, which create bottom opening 76, and the pattern structureof flexible panel 72, as described in more detail below, provide forU-shaped side access trough 76 formed just above the overlapping area ofthe panel. This alternate embodiment structure shown in FIGS. 12 & 13provides greater access to the user and still maintains a fullyencompassing overspray shield. In addition, this smaller patternstructure of flexible panel 72 establishes a smooth curve to the sideaccess trough 76 that again reduces the possibility of direct contactbetween the user and the edge of flexible panel 72.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the alternate preferred embodimentdisclosed in FIG. 12 showing the manner in which overspray shield 70extends less toward the user through curved upper sections of flexiblepanel 72 than with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 & 10. The attachmentregion 74 angles outward so as to still provide an upwardly extendingportion of the shield panel on either side of the user during use.Handle apertures 82 a & 82 b are shown in FIGS. 12 & 13 as well as theirpattern placement in FIG. 14. No fluid flow apertures are provided inthis embodiment not generally intended for use with flush toilets.

Overspray shield 70 shown in FIGS. 12 & 13 is designed and structured tofit within the standard geometry of typical bedside commodes or toiletseat risers. Base diameter D₂ shown in FIG. 13 is configured in one oftwo size ranges to allow insertion into the toilet seat opening (withthe lid up) of either a bedside commode (larger) or a toilet seat riser(smaller) and to reside securely therein during use.

FIG. 14 discloses in detail the structure and shape of the flexiblepanel 72 that is used to assemble the overspray shield 70 of thisalternate preferred embodiment. Although generally formed from arectangular flexible panel, specific alterations are made to the shapeto facilitate not only its assembly, but also the establishment of theresultant three dimensional structure forming the side access trough 76shown in FIG. 12. Flexible panel 72 cut as shown in FIG. 14 specificallyincorporates crossover tabs 78 a & 78 b that extend as pointed arrowshaped tabs from the lower corners of the flexible panel. Each crossovertab 78 a & 78 b incorporates an array of rivet apertures 86 a & 86 b asshown. The arrangement of rivet apertures 86 a & 86 b is such that whencrossover tabs 78 a & 78 b are directed towards each other andoverlapped as shown in FIG. 12, press rivets 80 may be secured throughthe aligned rivet apertures.

Although the upper edge of flexible panel 72 may generally be straight,the lower edges and the side edges are each curved in the manner shownin FIG. 14. The side edges are curved to direct curved extensions of thepanel towards the user in a manner best seen in FIG. 13. These sidecurves allow the formation of side access trough 76 (FIG. 12) andthereby allow the user to more closely approach side access trough 76for use of overspray shield 70. The lower edge curve seen in FIG. 14produces a generally flat base (seen best in FIG. 13) as preferable forthe bedside commode or the toilet seat riser applications of the device.

Overspray shield 70 is preferably constructed from a 0.060 inch sheet ofhigh impact polystyrene. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 & 13 ispreferably constructed with a smaller (24 inch) height and may be cutand/or configured to have one of two different base diameters D₂depending upon the intended use of the device. The bedside commodedevice will generally have a base diameter 2 inches greater than thebase diameter for the toilet seat riser device. The method ofmanufacture also includes the steps of cutting the core rectangle forthe pattern shown in FIG. 14, followed by cutting the side curved edges,the lower curved edge, and the lower corner tabs. The handle aperturesare then cut or punched through the material. Finally, the two alignedsets of rivet aperture, which are mirrored across a centerline of thepanel, are cut or punched in the corner tab regions of the panel.

Reference is finally made to FIGS. 15 & 16 for perspective views showingtwo applications or intended uses of the smaller overspray shield device70 shown in FIGS. 12 & 13. Overspray shield 70 in FIG. 15 is shownpositioned in bedside commode device 90 secured within the generallysmaller toilet seat 92 typical of a bedside commode. Overspray shield 70shown in FIG. 13, having a flat base and a small base diameter D₂, isnot only better suited for placement within bedside commode seat 91 butis securely elevated and upright for purposes of use in the smallerbedside commode configuration.

FIG. 16 utilizes the similarly sized overspray shield 70 in connectionwith a toilet seat riser 96 positioned on a standard toilet 94. Hereagain, the opening associated with toilet seat riser 96 is typicallysmaller even than the bedside commode (for structural support) andrequires an even smaller diameter D₂.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of theforegoing preferred embodiments, this description has been provided byway of explanation only, and is not intended to be construed as alimitation of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognizemodifications of the present invention that might accommodate specificindividual needs (based on the individual user's abilities) or specifictoilet configurations. While the device is flexible enough toaccommodate toilet bowls (and/or toilet seats), as well as bedsidecommodes and toilet seat risers, that might vary in diameter and shape,it may be desirable to alter the geometry of the flat panel from whichthe cone shape is constructed so as to better fit certain toiletdesigns. Toilets are known, for example, to come in designs with ovalseat opening having a long diameter only slightly larger than the shortdiameter, as well as designs with greatly elongated openings where thelong diameter (typically front to back on the toilet seat) issignificantly longer than the width diameter (side to side). Suchmodifications, where they are coincidental to the needs of theindividual or the specific configuration of the toilet being used, donot necessarily depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:
 1. A toilet overspray shield for use with a toilet forstanding urination, the toilet having a bowl and/or seat presenting anopen, generally elliptical rim, in a plane generally parallel with asupport surface on which the toilet is positioned, the toilet oversprayshield comprising: a curved shield comprising a single wall funnelshaped panel defining a partially open side, an open discontinuous upperrim defining an inlet opening, and a closed continuous lower rimdefining an outlet opening; wherein the lower rim of the funnel may beremovably positioned within the generally elliptical rim of the toiletbowl to support the funnel upright with the outlet opening directed intothe toilet bowl, and wherein the funnel may be oriented to position thepartially open side to receive standing urination into the funnel.